Sidewalk Improvement Program

Future Sidewalk Improvement Program

The city has surveyed the area bounded by 13 Mile to the north, Main Street to the west, E Farnum to the south and the city limits to the east to determine potential quantities of sidewalk replacement for a future sidewalk program.

At the January 14, 2019 city commission meeting, the commission decided to not move forward with a new sidewalk program at this time and directed staff to review the current sidewalk program criteria and procedures, prepare a report as to how other communities operate sidewalk programs and develop options and recommendations for an improved sidewalk improvement program which would start in 2020.

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2017 Sidewalk Improvement Program - Phase II

The remaining work for the 2017 program is the installation of new sidewalks where none previously exist. This phase of the project will be completed in Spring 2018.

Phase II (click to enlarge)

History

On May 16, 2011, the City Commission directed the engineering division to implement a sidewalk improvement program. The program addresses deficient public sidewalk over a six year period (2012 – 2017) per City Commission letter 141-11. This target area map shows the year of sidewalk construction for various sections of the city.

Payment Plans

If you would like to have your cost for the sidewalk improvements spread over a longer period of time, you can fill out a Sidewalk Payment Plan Form. This will be reviewed by the city commission. If approved, special assessment payment plans will be billed through the treasurer's office, typically spread over six years with a maximum 6% interest rate. Interest rates and time period are established by the city commission prior to billing. Plans can be paid off at any time without penalty; contact the treasurer's office for a payoff amount. Currently, this is the only payment plan offered by the city.

Exemptions

In the spring, after receiving the notification letter with your estimate for sidewalk improvement, you can schedule a meeting with the project manager for concerns regarding your sidewalk. If you still disagree with the proposed sidewalk to be replaced, you can submit an Exemption Appeal Request Form for the city engineer to review and make a final decision. The exemption must be approved before the city's contractor arrives on your street.

In the spring of each year, homeowners in the designated target area will be notified of the specifics of the program, and in particular, the deficiencies identified on the sidewalk adjacent to their property that they are responsible to maintain as outlined in City Code §650. A cost estimate will be included in the notification letter. The Engineering Division will begin addressing property owner concerns only after notifications have been sent out in the spring.

SUMMER

Removal and replacement of sidewalk happens throughout the summer construction season, generally from May through October. If more work is required than the original letter estimated, property owners will receive an updated estimate on their front door.

WINTER

Single, one-time invoices are mailed to the current property owner typically in January or February.